The passion of Mexican F1 fans has hit the headlines again this year ahead of the Mexican race. The country’s F1 star Sergio Perez needs good manners from his fans.
F1 drivers got to experience the country’s passionate motorsport following in Mexico this week. Red Bull Max Verstappen have to use security guys this weekend in mexico, reports, among others, the F1 site Racingnews365.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko confirmed the matter. Verstappen, who has already secured his third world championship, has two security guards by his side throughout the weekend.
– Max would not really have wanted them (security guards) and takes a relaxed approach to the situation, Marko stated.
– But we are responsible for him. We want him to be safe.
Security guards are not a new thing in Mexico. This weekend too, several F1 drivers have had security guards visible. Videos have been published on social media of how the fan got stuck About Fernando Alonso caught up at a partner’s event in Mexico City. The security guards quickly intervened and moved the fan away from Alonso’s bundle.
Security guards also secured the Mercedes star on the streets of the Mexican capital on Wednesday George Russell, when he was walking to a partner’s event. A large number of Mexicans had gathered in the streets to show their favor to the young Briton.
Perez’s team mate previously received death threats
There have been safety concerns at the Mexican GP in the past. French driver With Esteban Ocon had security men in the race in 2017 after he had received death threats his teammate at the time by Sergio Perez from the fans. At that time, Ocon and Perez had a fierce competition with each other in Force India. They had crashed several times before Mexican Perez’s home race.
There have also been problems in the past at the actual race venue, the track named after the Mexican motor racing legend Hermanos Rodríguez. F1 Drivers Association President Russell demanded more respect from the fans in the pit after last year’s race.
According to Russell, every driver was jumped in front of, pushed and pulled in hopes of a selfie or other photos.
Alpine driver Pierre Gasly had noticed how someone had opened his backpack. Gasly had, among other things, his passport and other valuables in his backpack.
– Of course we will give the fans time when we can this weekend. I still didn’t dare to leave the team premises, because otherwise I knew I would be surrounded, Gasly described last year.
Mexican F1 race organizers have responded to drivers’ concerns this year. They have asked the Teams and partners to keep the number of people entering the pit small, in order to make the pit area a more comfortable working environment for everyone. They have communicated that people entering the F1 pit should understand how to behave in an exemplary manner.
The behavior of Mexican fans has become a topic of conversation even before this weekend. A week ago we competed in Texas, Austin, USA. There were also plenty of Perez fans. They booed Perez’s Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen during the awards ceremony.
Perez sent a stern message to his fans on Wednesday at his partner’s event. Perez wanted good manners from the Mexicans this weekend.
– I want the whole world in Mexico, my country, to get the idea that we have fans who are polite, grateful and committed to the sport. I would like the F1 community to leave this country with a good taste in their mouths. It’s personally really important for me to show what a great country and what a great culture we have, Perez stated.